Arizona Cement Plant Earns Perfect Energy Efficiency Score for Third Year in a Row

The Salt River Materials Group’s Phoenix Cement Company Plant in Clarkdale, Ariz., achieved a perfect efficiency record for the third straight year.

Dec 02, 2010

The Salt River Materials Group’s Phoenix Cement Company Plant in Clarkdale, Ariz., achieved a perfect efficiency record for the third straight year.

The cement plant was awarded the highest possible score of 100 on the Energy Performance Indicator (EPI) in 2008 and 2009 and has earned the same score in 2010. Additionally, this is the fourth year in a row that the Clarkdale Plant will receive the EPA’s Energy Star Label.

The Clarkdale Plant is the most efficient cement plant in the United States and as one of the most efficient in the world. The score of 100 on its 2010 EPI highlights that success. The EPA Energy Star label recognizes the effort and resources that go into maintaining an energy-efficient facility.

In 2009, Salt River completed an energy audit at its Clarkdale administration building and an air-leak audit for the plant. Officials followed this up with the completion of an energy monitoring system and the installation of a VFD on the clinker dome feed belt conveyor. The plant also changed electric rate plans for its aggregates operations.

In mid-2009, Salt River Materials Group completed two multimillion dollar projects to improve quality and energy efficiency, targeting the raw meal feed for the kiln system. It also made numerous lighting changes at the Clarkdale plant. Replacing bulbs and installing of motion sensors have saved 379Kwh a day. In August, the company installed a solar power system at its Lower Buckeye Transfer Terminal in Phoenix and plans additional solar installations.

“We have worked hard over the years to make this plant energy-efficient, and these scores mark us as second-to-none when compared to other cement plants in the United States,” said Lew Dodendorf, Salt River Materials Group’s energy manager.

The Clarkdale plant continues to work toward reducing energy consumption, emissions, and water consumption. Projects such as modified operating procedures, installation of high-efficiency equipment and lighting, upgrades to existing lighting and compressed-air systems, and employee-awareness training contribute to the plant’s continuing energy-savings progress.

“We are most appreciative of the award from the U.S. EPA as a winner of the prestigious Energy Star label," said Roger Smith, president and CEO of Phoenix Cement Company. "We are pleased and honored for the recognition from the agency for the fourth year.”